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Twelve Older People from Galway City complete Ageing with Confidence Programme

Jun 2010

The Ageing with Confidence Group Programme is a holistic approach to health promotion for older people. It was developed by Age and Opportunity and has just been delivered in Galway by Galway City Partnership and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, NUIG.

The objectives of the programme are to:

Assist and facilitate people to explore their own ageing

Challenge the myths and stereotyping that lead to ageism

Provide information on physical, psychological and social aspects of growing older.

Twelve older people from various parts of Galway City completed the eight-week course which was delivered by two facilitators from the Irish Centre from Social Gerontology. They received their certificates in Galway City Partnership last week. Aine Ni Leime, from the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology said: “We are delighted to have collaborated with Galway City Partnership in introducing the first Ageing with Confidence course to older people in Galway City. This is an example of a very successful co-operative venture between NUI, Galway and Galway City Partnership who operate the Local Community Development Programme.” Participants included a variety of men and women from different areas across the city.

Ageing with Confidence uses a psycho-educational approach and involves a high degree of engagement from participants who explore their experiences of the challenges and opportunities of growing older in Ireland today. As well as gaining information on the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of ageing, they shared with each other solutions to problems they have encountered. “I’d like to congratulate the participants on this first Ageing with Confidence course who contributed so much to its success through their whole-hearted engagement. In their feedback they said that as well as learning facts about ageing they enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences in a safe respectful environment and getting to know the other participants”

One of the participants Mary Mc Anespie said “The whole course was very informative and practical – everything had relevance to our own lives. It was also very well presented and organised.” “The Irish Centre for Social Gerontology looks forward to continuing to engage with Older People in the community and with Galway City Partnership in the future” Ms. Ni Leime said. The Ageing with Confidence Programme was developed for both men and women who are over 55 and is free of charge.

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, contact Maeve Murray, Community Development Project Officer in Galway City Partnership at 091 773466.